Mindfulness Meditation for Nursing Students
Stress ReactionNurse's RoleMindfulness meditation was used to reduce stress and its responses such as cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP) among healthy and ill individuals in various cultures, but their effects have not yet been studied among Jordanian nursing students, experienced tremendous stress. Thus, the purpose of study was to examine the effects of three of such intervention on perceived stress (MM) on Trait mindfulness, perceived stress, cortisol, and CRP in Jordanian nursing students. The hypothesis was " mindfulness meditation will improve trait mindfulness, perceived stress, serum cortisol and serum CRP. Using a Randomized controlled study conducted in a large university in Jordan, 108 nursing students were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups equally. The experimental group participated in 5 30-minute weekly sessions of mindfulness meditation. Trait mindfulness, perceived stress, serum cortisol, and CRP were measured at baseline and end of intervention.
Pharmacokinetic and PHarmacodynamic Analysis and Evaluation of Teriparatide (PTH 1-34) Between Sexes...
Stress FractureTo test for a difference in the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of teriparatide (PTH 1-34), between healthy male and female volunteers matched to military recruits in training.
A Cognitive Behavioral Stress Intervention for Women Who Smoke
SmokingCigarette5 morePURPOSE OF THE STUDY 1.1 Justification The purpose of the project is to examine the effect of breathing biofeedback and thoughts about stress on performance under stress and cigarette cravings. Smoking rates in the United States have been steadily going down over the past 50 years, and now 16.8% of adults smoke (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Most smokers try to quit, but end up going back to smoking (Garcia-Rodriguez et al., 2013; Piasecki, 2006; Rafful et al., 2013). The reasons people go back to smoking may have something to do with stress in their lives, particularly for women who smoke. This study wants to see if we can reduce temporary stress and lower craving to smoke after stress. 1.2 Description of the Research Project Approximately 60 adult women will participate in the study. Participants must be between 18 and 65 years old, able to read English fluently, and must agree to engage in the research procedures (stress protocol, physiological assessment, breathing training, questionnaires) to participate. People who are taking medications that interfere with physiological assessment are excluded from participating including people with: self-identified substance use problems, self-identified psychosis, morbid obesity (BMI>40), and people who take anti-cholinergic medication, beta blockers, Ritalin, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants or bupropion, varenicline, antipsychotic medication, or nicotine replacement therapy. People who have a cardiac rhythm abnormality or major neurological problem are also excluded from the study. Also, participants may not participate if they are pregnant or color-blind. Participation is strictly voluntary. PROGRESSION OF THIS STUDY 2.1 Procedures The study visit procedures will take place at the Emotion and Psychopathology Laboratory at Rutgers University, located at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Healthcare Policy, and Aging Research. Participants will first complete some questionnaires and provide some basic information about themselves (demographic information, responses to emotion and stress, and smoking history). Next, participants will engage in a baseline psychophysiological assessment where investigators will examine heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Next, investigators will either ask participants to sit quietly for 30 minutes while completing a computer task and watching short videos, or practice a specific deep breathing exercise for 30 minutes. Then participants will do three tasks on a computer. The tasks will ask participants to trace different shapes, answer math problems while receiving feedback about how they're doing, and identify colors and words on a screen. Finally, participants will be asked to sit quietly for 15 minutes before investigators remove the psychophysiological recording equipment. One week after the study visit, investigators will contact participants via phone to ask them some questions about the study visit. 2.2 Duration of the study This study visit will last approximately 3 hours. Length of the visit may vary because each individual may complete procedures at a different pace. The phone call after the study visit will last approximately 10-15 minutes.
Pilot Study of Nursing Touch and Biobehavioral Stress
PrematurityStress ReactionRandomized cross-over clinical trial to determine the effect of a nurse-administered comforting touch intervention on the biobehavioral stress responses of preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Research on the Effects of Combined Neurostimulation Protocols on Stress
Stress ReactionStress Related Disorder1 moreThe study examines the effects of the combined use of two different non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques targeting the DLPFC on stress reactivity and recovery.
Physiological Response to Protein and Energy-enhanced Food Products During Winter Military Training...
Military Operational Stress ReactionMalnutrition (Calorie)2 moreSoldiers commonly lose muscle mass during training and combat operations that produce large energy deficits (i.e., calories burned > calories consumed). Developing new combat ration products that increase energy intake (i.e., energy dense foods) or the amount and quality of protein consumed (i.e., essential amino acid [EAA] content) may prevent muscle breakdown and stimulate muscle repair and muscle maintenance during unavoidable energy deficit. The primary objective of this study is to determine the effects of prototype recovery food products that are energy dense or that provide increased amounts of EAAs (anabolic component of dietary protein) on energy balance, whole-body net protein balance, and indices of physiological status during strenuous winter military training.
The Effects of Physical Training on Physiological and Psychological Stress-reactions and Cognitive...
Healthy VolunteersSedentary LifestyleOne of the biggest challenges of today is the high stress levels among employees in companies and organizations. Physical exercise may be an effective preventive measure for stress-related problems. This relatively simple and inexpensive action is believed to be important for increasing and maintaining work ability and reduce the cost of stress-related ill health in the workplace. The aim is to investigate how regular physical exercise affects the individual's ability to mentally and physiologically cope with stress. Acute stress physiological responses are measured before and after a 6 -month intervention, where 100 untrained individuals are randomized to either regular physical exercise or a control group. The hypothesis is that exercise leads to lesser activation of the individual's stress physiological systems and to an efficient physiological protection system. Mental ability to handle stress is also studied as well as possible effects on the brain's cognitive functions. From a work perspective, cognitive impairment due to high exposure to stress is a major problem leading to substantial costs in businesses and organizations as a result of reduced performance and production. We believe that physical activity can alter and mitigate individual stress reactions. This study brings new knowledge that can contribute to increased motivation to prioritize physical activity in everyday life. The study could also provide evidence for businesses and organizations of the benefits of engaging in interventions and fitness initiatives to facilitate/enable increased physical activity in daily life for its employees. With an aging population, we are expected to work longer, which poses a challenge as the ability to manage stress and maintain cognitive abilities decline with age. For older employees, regular physical activity could be an important factor directly affecting the prospects for a sustainable working life.
Effects of Protein Supplementation on Lean Body Mass Recovery From Extreme Military Training
Military Operational Stress ReactionMalnutrition (Calorie)2 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the physiological consequences of extreme military training and determine whether protein supplementation enhances recovery by promoting gains in lean body mass. This study will be conducted at the US Marine Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape (SERE) school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. SERE school may be an ideal setting to assess nutritional interventions that promote recovery from severe military operational stress, and identify innate or experiential variables that may lead to increased levels of resilience in Warfighters. Our laboratory has recently demonstrated the detrimental effects and stressful nature of SERE. Heart rates and stress-related hormones increased dramatically, with concomitant reductions in circulating anabolic hormones. Additionally, SERE causes significant weight loss (15-20 lbs), which probably included lean body mass. The effects of severe operational stress induced by SERE, particularly the loss of lean mass, may degrade physical performance, increase injury risk, and compromise military readiness. Under controlled laboratory conditions, consuming high protein diets or supplemental high-quality protein promotes muscle protein retention, enhances muscle protein synthesis, and protects lean body mass in response to stress. Whether consuming supplemental protein promotes lean mass recovery and physiological resilience following a 'real-world' military stress has not been determined. Further, the level of supplemental protein necessary to optimize recovery from extreme military operational stress has not been elucidated. Up to 90 US Marines will be enrolled in a 46-day double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Using complex body composition measurements, kinetic modeling of human metabolism, blood sampling and cognitive and nutrition questionnaires, the consequences of SERE and the efficacy of protein recovery nutrition on lean mass accretion and Warfighter resilience will be assessed. We hypothesize that consuming a specially formulated, high-quality supplemental protein ration item will speed recovery of lean body mass, physiological, and psychological resilience following extreme military operational stress.
Synovium Brushing to Augmented Microfracture for Improved Cartilage Repair
Defect of Articular CartilageCartilage Injury2 moreThis is a proof-of-concept study to determine the safety and efficacy of a novel device to increase the reparative capacity of the knee. The discovery of a resident population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within synovial fluid (SF) was the first description of this reparative cell population having direct access to superficial cartilage and joint structures. The ready access of SF MSC to cartilage and other joint tissues offers a novel strategy for joint repair. Current arthroscopic procedures result in the removal of all SF MSCs due to continuous irrigation throughout the procedure. The current study would benefit the patient by greatly increasing the reparative capacity of the joint by bolstering MSC numbers and retaining those MSCs within the joint after surgery. By accessing MSCs from the synovium it is anticipated that these cells would be entrapped/migrate into the marrow clot formed by microfracture of the sub-chondral bone. These MSCs would supplement those from the marrow and may result in faster, better quality repair.
Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Microfracture and Modified Microfracture
Defect of Articular CartilageOsteoarthritis1 moreThis study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified microfracture using collagen, and to compare them with those of a simple microfracture to prove the non-inferiority of the modified microfracture using collagen in patients with cartilage defects in their knees.